Sr. Quality Lab Engineer (PENA)

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Sr. Quality Lab Engineer? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Join the PENA team today!

Meet Panasonic
Meet the Recruiter: Will Downey
Explore Panasonic Careers 
Panasonic Video Our Mission: Create Technologies That Move Us

Shift:

Day Shift

Department:

Quality Control

Job Summary:

Panasonic Energy of North America (PENA) is seeking ambitious engineers to lead the world’s largest lithium ion battery initiative. With superior battery designs and the fastest manufacturing lines in the world, Panasonic is producing millions of batteries per day at the Gigafactory to support Tesla’s electric vehicle and energy storage businesses. Panasonic invites you to join us in this ongoing full-scale effort to electrify our society. At PENA, engineers quickly become experts in the fundamentals of lithium-ion cell technology and work to integrate that understanding with high speed, automated manufacturing methods to produce the highest performance and highest quality lithium ion batteries. 

Essential Duties:

• Providing rapid response conducting laboratory analysis for production support and root cause analysis.
• Having responsibility for all manner of chemical/materials analysis to change and improve processes and resolve production issues.
• Conducting failure analysis to address quality or reliability concerns regarding Panasonic’s battery cells.
• Utilizing analytical instrumentation to conduct analysis and provide support to a multitude of groups within the organization.
• Analyzing and evaluating process input/output data to reduce defects and improve battery performance.
• Providing support to the cell manufacturing process to resolve production quality issues.
• Providing support to customers to resolve claims on cell production quality issues.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a possibility and may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Education:

• Basic/Required:  Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or similar discipline.
• Preferred:  M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or similar discipline.

Essential Qualifications:

• Panasonic Energy of North America does not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.
• Experience with laboratory analysis using chromatography, ICP, SEM/EDS, FTIR, TGA, or similar tools.
• Academic or industry experience with materials characterization, elemental analysis, or electrochemistry.
• Expertise in handling chemicals and following laboratory safety procedures.
• Familiarity with quality management tools (control chart, FTA, FMEA, etc.) and MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Problem solving skills and close attention to detail.
• 8 years of engineering or laboratory experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using ISO 9001 quality management system auditing.
• A laboratory background working in high-volume manufacturing is strongly desired.
• Experience developing analytical laboratory methods.
• Data analysis experience such as statistical process control of production data.
• Experience in defect reduction of high-volume manufacturing products.

Physical Demands:

Physical Activities: (Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to)

• Sit:                                                       20%
• Walk:                                                   50%
• Stand:                                                 20%
• Lift:                                                      10%

Required Lifting and Carrying: (Required frequency is:  Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%, Continuous (67-100%)

• Up to 10 lbs.:                                       Frequent
• Up to 20 lbs.:                                       Frequent
• Up to 35 lbs.:                                       Frequent
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.):               Frequent

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You:

Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:

• Highly inclusive and class-leading healthcare options to include family planning, mental health, and pet insurance
• Employee assistance programs that support total well-being with complimentary session offered each and every month
• Company-matched and fully vested 401K retirement program that starts immediately from date of enrollment
• Annual bonus program, High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Simplified access to self-guided and representative-supported short and long-term financial wellness and retirement planning
• Educational Assistance & Reimbursement Program
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and associated employee resource groups that promote representation and belonging
• Leadership, career, and mentorship development programs opportunities at all levels across the organization
• Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events
• Collaborative and motivating culture routed in continuous personal and professional growth and much more.
• Shuttle rides to and from work!

Where You'll Be:

For our onsite roles, Panasonic Energy is committed to fostering an ideal working environment that goes beyond the conventional. We understand the significance of moments that matter in your onsite experience, and we prioritize creating a workspace that not only promotes productivity but also ensures a fulfilling and positive work atmosphere. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.

Who We Are:

Meet Panasonic Energy! At Panasonic Energy, you'll do work that matters as we are dedicated to transforming the world through the acceleration of sustainable energy. By producing safe, high-quality lithium-ion batteries, you become part of a team that plays a crucial role in creating technologies that move us.

Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we are expanding operations to De Soto, Kansas, providing you with the opportunity to experience career growth in more ways than one.

As an innovative thinker, you'll thrive here, as we continually push the boundaries of lithium-ion battery technology and production capabilities to enhance efficiency and performance in EVs.

Being part of Panasonic Energy means positively contributing to society, aligning with our commitment to building a better world through sustainable energy solutions.

We care about what you care about, fostering an environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. Join us and be part of a team that values your work, encourages innovation, and actively contributes to a positive societal impact.

In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.

We Take Opportunity Seriously:

At Panasonic Energy, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer.

We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application!

Supplemental Information:

Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Panasonic Energy of North America is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to: race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy of North America.

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